Machine for making paper tubes.



A. D. PENTZ.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PAPER TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15, 1913- Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET L Witnesses:

A. D. PENTZ.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PAPER TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. E, 1913.

1, 1 71 ,872. Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

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i M I E 1 vvlbnesses: Inventor,

JHb Ft 0. Pentz.

A. D. PENTZ.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PAPER TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6,1913.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Witnesses:

@Q was.

J lber-t D. Deni- 2,

flu-jg.

A. D. PENTZ.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PAPER TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 6.1913.

enFz o ttg.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SflEET 4.

0'0 a y E Inventor, 522: b /r N ME n N l on: r 2 Q m R NN F s 7 q I f? Ihw i e it a m. P W 1 D v v e 1 w ww n WE U W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT D. PENTZ, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

Application filed September 8, 1918. Serial No. 788,482.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT D. Pnn'rz, a citizen of the United States, residin at Lynn, in the county of Essex, State of assachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Making Paper Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to a machine for manufacturing tubes, particularly paper tubes, which are suited for inclosing and insulating electric conductors, for drinking straws and for other purposes.

The mechanism which I have here shown as embodying my invention comprises in its organization a reciprocating former which,in cooperation with a chuck, feeds forward the flexible paper or other ribbon from which the tube is formed, at the same time folding it into the form desired. Before the ribbon is brought into its final form, one edge of it is brought into contact with a device which applies thereto a suitable adhesive material. The ribbon is then folded into its final tube form. The former, which is provided with a heating device, in one direction of movement exerts a sad-ironing action upon the tube (which is at this time wound about a mandrel), thus smoothing it out and stiffen ing it and at the same time drying the adhesive or cement. As the tube passes from the machine, a cutting mechanism severs it from time to time, and as the frequency of operation of the cutting mechanism with reference to the reciprocations of the feeding mechanism may be varied, the length of tubvmay be varied, and this adjustment of the cutting mechanism in conjunction with the mechanism for adjusting the rate of feed, makes it possible to produce finished tubes of any desired length.

One object of my invention is the provision of a novel feeding mechanism which both forms and feeds forward the tube and exerts a sadironing action on the same.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a novel form of cementing device which cooperates with an overhanging wing or flange of the former.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a novel form of cutting mechamsm.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of mechanism for actuating the cutting mechanism which is so adjustable with reference to the reciprocations of the feeding mechanism, as to roduce finished tubes of any length desire within cer tain limits.

Furthermore, it is an object of my invention to arrange the cutting mechanism to be capable of being readily detached so that a tube of indefinite length may be produced.

Other novel features of my invention will be described in the specification and particularly pointed out in the claims.

For convenience in description I shall refor to that end of the machine toward which the tube is fed as the forward end and the opposite end as the rear.

For a fuller understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown one embodiment thereof and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete device; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3, Fig. 1, certain parts being omitted; Fig. 4 is an end elevation; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the feeding mechanism showing parts in side elevation; Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 5; Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are sections taken on the corresponding sectional lines of Fig. 5, and Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a tube made on the machine.

In the drawings, 1 is the frame of the machine, on which is mounted a circular table 2 carrying a ribbon 3 of flexible material, such as paper, suitable for the manufacture of tubes. A sliding carriage A is mounted upon the frame, as indicated in Fig. 6, on which carriage is mounted the former for the tube, the former together with a chuck 4 constituting the feeding mechanism. The former 5, which takes the paper ribbon and progressively folds the same in the manner indicated in Figs. 8 to 14, is secured within a bushing 6 mounted in the carriage A (see Figs. 1, 2, and 6}, the portion of the former within the carriage itself consistin of a plain cylinder. A mandrel 7 passes t rough the former and extends from a support 8 (see Figs. 1 and 2) to the cutting mechanism C located at the forward end of the machine. The former is provided, at a point a little in advance of the carriage proper, with an overhanging wing or flange 11, as indicated in Fig. 12, beneath which one edge of the paper formin the tube asses.

A cementing w eel 9, whic is mounted on a stationary part of the machine, dips in a bath 10 of any suitable adhesive material, and the upper edge of the disk engages the edge of the aper as it passes, beneath the flange 11 an thus applies the cement to the paper, the movement of the paper causing the rotation of the disk. The carriage A is operatively connected to the chuck 4 by means of a rod 12. The rod 12 is held in frictional engagement with the cylindrical wall of an o enin in the carriage A (see Fig. 6) within which the rod is located by means of a plunger 13 which is pressed against the rod by a compression spring 14 between the plunger 13 and a screw-threaded plug 15; b means of this plug the pressure 0 the pl unger against the rod 12 and thus the friction between the rod 12 and the inner wall of the opening may be regulated. The opposite end of the rod 12 is mounted in a block 16 at the forward end of the machine and is provided with a collar 17 secured to the rod, which collar engages a groove 18 formed on the forward end of the chuck 4. The rear end of the chuck is made slightly tapering at 19, which tapering portion engages a corresponding bearing in the block 16 when the chuck is in the position indicated in Fig. 5, and in this position the chuck is slightly separated from the inner face of a wall 18 formed on the forward end of the block 16. In this position, the chuck tightly grips the paper tube about the mandrel 7 and prevents movement thereof; While when the chuck is carried forward by the movement of the rod 12 until the end of the chuck engages the wall 18 the chuck opens through the action of its spring jaws and then permitsthe formed tube to pass freely through the same, the friction plunger 13 at the same time permitting the carriage A to slide on the rod 12. The carriage A is provided with any convenient number of electric heating devices 20 which dry the cement as it passes through the former and at the same time render more effective the sad-ironing action of the former, as will be more fully hereinafter described.

The cutting mechanism C (see Fig. 3) comprises an elbow lever 21 pivoted at 22 and carrying a circular cutting tool 23. The lever 21 is operated by a link 24, pivoted at work, a rotary movement is imparted thereto by means of a pawl 27, pivoted on the link 24, this awl engaging a ratchet 28 mounted on the s aft of the cutting tool. This rotary movement of the cutting tool at the moment that it is brought into engagement with the tube assists in cleanly cutting the tube and at the same time shifts the cutting poin on the wheel.

The machine is operated by an electric motor 29 which rotates a shaft 30 through a belt 31 and a pulley 32. The shaft 30 is provided with a worm 33 engaging a worm wheel 34 mounted on a transverse shaft 35 on one end of which is mounted a crank 36 carryin a crank pin 37 by means of which the fee ing mechanism is operated. On the opposite end of the shaft 35 is mounted a gear 38 which by suitable connections actuates the cuttin mechanism above described. Referring again to the mechanism which actuates the feedin device, the crank pin 37 is connected by a ink 39 to a variable stroke segment arm 40 slotted at 41 and pivoted at 40. This segment arm is connected to the carriage A by a link 42, the forward end of which is pivoted to a projection 43 on the carriage. The rear end of the link is secured within the slot of the segment arm and is adjustable along this slot so as to vary the stroke of the link 42, and thus vary the amplitude of vibration of the carriage A.

The gear 38, above referred to, which is mounted on the transverse shaft 35, engages a gear 44 mounted on another transverse shaft 45 on the opposite end of which is mounted a disk or wheel 46 carrying an convenient number of removable cams 4 (see Fig. 1); the cams engage a roller 48 mounted on an elbow lever 49 and so oscillate the lever. The lever is pivoted at 49" at the extremity of one arm of the lever. To the end of the other arm is pivoted a pawl 50 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1). The forward end of this pawl engages the detents of a star wheel 51 loosely mounted on shaft 51 coaxial with the slotted seg ment arm 40. Backward movement of the star wheel is prevented by a spring pawl 52. A cam 53 is carried on one face of the star wheel, and this cam engages in its movement a cam face 54 formed on the lower end of an arm 55 which is mounted on the shaft 26. On this shaft is mounted an arm 56 which is engaged by a plunger 57 (Fig. 3) pressed outwardly by a spring 58 (indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3). It will be seen, therefore, that normally the cutting mechanism is in the position indicated in describe Fig. 3 and that when the arm 55 is vibrated by the action of a cam 53 a quick movement is imparted to the cutting mechanism, which is-desirable for the purpose-of cleanly cutting the tube. A finished tube 59 made with a machine in accordance with my invention is indicated in Fig. 15. l.

The 0 eration of the machine heretofore showi one embodiment of my invention is as f0 lows: When the carriage A is moved forward from its rear position, the rod 12 and the chuck 4 are carried forward with the carriage until the forward end of the chuck 4 engages the wall 18", whereupon the chuck 4 and the rod 12 are at once arrested, while the carriage A continues its movement. As the chuck 4 moves forwardly, its tapering portion 19 is disengaged from the tapering bearing, and the chuck immediately opens in conseoucncc of the sprin iness of its members and permits the paper tu e to be carried forward through the chuck a distance determined by the difference of the movements of the carriage A and the chuck 4 respectively, the carriage sliding over the rod 12 during the excess part, of its movement and carrying the tube into the chuck. During this movement of the carriage, it will be noted there is no movement of the paper tube relatively to the carriage, and this relative rest between the tube and the carriage has been found desirable in practice to afford time for the baking of the tube and the drying of the cement. When the carriage moves in the opposite direction, however, the rod 12 moves with the same until the tapering portion of the chuck-engages its bearing, whereupon the chuck grips the paper tube and prevents backward movement of the same, the carriage moving over the rod 12 for the remainder of the movement of the carriage in the same manner as in its forward movement. As the former 5 continues to move backward with the carriage A, the tubular portion of the former, which closely embraces the paper tube, exerts a sadiroriing action upon the tube against the mandrel, thus serving to smooth out the tube and to stiffen it. The cutter C is automatically o-perated at regular intervals while the tube is stationary in the manner above indicated. It will readily be seen that by removing one or more of the cam plates 47 the length of the finished tube may be varied. For example, when the wheel 46 is provided with a single cam plate, the [in ished tubes could be made three feet in length. Now, if the disk is provided with two such plates, obviously the tubes will be eighteen inches in length, and if with three plates the tubes will be one foot in length. If furthe adjustment for the length of tubes is desired, it will ordinarily be snf-.

ficient to add one or more cam plates 53 to the star wheel 51, and if a still finer adjustment as to length of tubes is desired, this may be accomplished b varying the rate of feed of the tube by ariiustment of link 42 relative a; rock arm 40. V

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus Wl1lClTI now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by. other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a tube machine, the combination with a reciprocating carriage carrying means embracing and enga 'ng the forward tube so as to be capable of g eeding the same, of stationary gripping means controlled and actuated by said reciprocating carriage to grip the tube and hold it arrested during movement of the carriage in one direction and to release it and permit it to be fed dur- .ing movement of the carriage in the opposite direction.

2. Incombination in a tube making-machine, a reciprocating carria e, a former adapted to fold strip material into tube form mounted thereon so as to move therewith, and means coiiperating with said former to prevent movement of the tube during the folding movement of said former and to release the tube during the opposite movement of said former.

3. In combination in a tube making machine, a reciprocating carriage and a former for the tube carried thereby and provided with a heating device and a spring gib friction device, and means cooperating with said former and said spring gib friction device to release said tube during the forward movement of the former and to prevent movement of the tube during the opposite movement of the former, so that the tube is fed forward during the forward movement of the former and ironed by the former during its opposite movement.

4. In combination in a tube making machine, a reciprocating carriage and a former carried thereby provided with a heating de- Ill vice, a chuck having a limited longitudinal the tube and the former irons the same durtool when it is brought into engagement with ing the opposite movement of the former. the tube. 1

5. In cmnbilmtion, means for forming and In witness whereof, I have. hereunto' set feeding forward a tube, means for cutting my hand this 3rd day of Se tember 1913.

15 the same into lengths comprising a circular ALBER D. PENTZ.

c'utting tool movable with reference to the Witnesses: tube, and menus actuated by movement of JOHN A. MCMANUS, J12,

said tool toward the tube for l'ntating said FRANK G. HAT'IIE.

the tube and the former irons the same dur tool when it is brought into engagement with ing the opposite movement of the former! the tube. 1 I f 1 5. In 'cmnbiuation, means for forming and In witness whereof,-, I have: hereunto set feeding forward :1 tube, means for cutting my hand this 3rd day of September, 1913.

5 the same into lengths comprisinge circular ALBERT D. PENTZ.

cutting tool movable with reference to the I Witnesses: tube, and menus actuated by movement of JOHN A. MOMANUS, Jr., said tool toward the tube for rotating said 4 FRANK G. HATTIE.

e is hereby certified the-tin Letters Patent No. 1,171,872, granted February 15, 1916, upon the ahplioation of Albert'D. Pent z, of Lynn, Massachusetts, tor an improvement in Machines for Maln'ng Paper Tubes,. -an error appears in the printed speoificetion requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 83, claim 1, for the word forward? reed formed; end-that the said I etters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Offiee. Q

1 Signed and sealed this 41111 day of April, A. 1)., 1916. I

[seen] R F. WHITEHEAD,

1 Aging Commissioner of Patents.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,171,872, granted February 15,

1916, upon the application of Albert D. Pentz, of Lynn, Massachusetts, for an improvement in Machines for Maln'ng Paper Tubes, .an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 83, claim 1, for

the word forward read formed; and that the said Iietters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of April, A. D., 1916.

R. F. WHITEHEAD,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

[SEAL] 

